Epilogue
For two years, I played the part of the mafia boss. I slipped right into Franco’s role, overseeing the gun trafficking business, cyber fraud schemes, protection rackets, illegal gambling rings, selling stolen goods, and the list goes on and on. For a while, I convinced myself that I was different than my uncle. I paid my men their fair share, kept only one set of books, and minor disagreements weren’t solved with an execution. But when I came home to Molly each night, I felt like I was covered in a thick layer of grime that could never be washed off. I defeated Franco, gained control of the family, and earned Molly’s trust, but I was still unworthy of her.
My first rule of business after becoming boss was to make a large donation to the center, with no strings attached. Molly, in her angelic brilliance, used the funds to build a state of the art facility that serves thousands of clients. Soon after, she was able to open another branch in Northern California. I won’t be surprised when branches are opened all over the country.
Once, I was able to exploit, degrade, even murder people without an ounce of guilt. But Molly changed all that. The emotions I thought I had successfully killed were actually dormant. They were there, all the time, affecting me in ways I couldn’t see. Molly helped me heal, and gave me the courage to face the pain I’d run from for so long. With this awakening, it became harder to justify what I did for a living. Molly spent her days in the trenches, sleeves rolled up, helping those who had been written off by society. In contrast, I manned a powerful machine made up of intersecting illegal businesses that took advantage of people, and made a lot of money. She still loved me despite this, but I knew she deserved more. And when she became pregnant, I knew something had to change.
Embedded in Franco and Monty’s complicated business dealings were legitimate enterprises; real estate, investments, and restaurants, like Firenze. I poured over contracts and financial documents, consulted wealth managers, and business consultants, and came up with a plan to separate the legal from the illegal. I even sold my stake in Madame Cherie’s brothel back to her.
As boss, I made the decision; the Mariano’s were going legit. If Uncle Franco was dead, he’d roll over in his grave.
When I told Snake, Bruno, and Anthony about my plans, they didn’t know how to take it. I couldn’t blame them. We’d all been born into this life. We’d navigated the shadowy depths of the black market since we were teens. We didn’t have any formal education. This was all we knew.
Still, they stood by me. They didn’t want to raise their families in this life any more than I did. Together, we transitioned from the Mariano Crime Family, to Mariano Holdings, LLC. My title changed from boss to CEO. Snake went from underboss to COO. My capos became senior level management. Bruno even went back to school to earn a business degree. Everything we do is above board. And there’s no need to pay off cops or city officials any more.
And so, my days of guns, brothels, revenge, and criminal intrigue came to end. I no longer chase adrenaline highs, because at the height of my carnal madness, they were never high enough. I carry a briefcase to work every day. At night I lay my head against Molly’s growing belly to feel the baby move. When a limb brushes against my hand, I make them a promise; I will not be like my father. I worry that I’m incapable of being a good father, because, in honesty, I don’t know what that looks like. But I know Molly will help guide me. Her compassion is my guiding light. Every day, she teaches me how to live.
Now, I haven’t gone all soft. Molly and I still enjoy a romp in my dungeon from time to time. Though with her pregnancy, our sex life has become increasingly vanilla. But I’m content. I don’t need dark excitement any more.
Molly is all I need. And that’s okay.
The End